The Flaming Marshmallows

Flaming Marshmallows

By: Sylvie Holding and Jordan Kania

In our science class we were learning about the scientific method, and had to create an experiment. We had to think of a question that we wanted to answer, then write a hypothesis.  We created a materials list and a list of the steps we were going to follow. Then we conducted the experiment. Our experiment was which substance would burn a marshmallow faster, we used hand sanitizer and isopro.  

­Lab Design Sheet:

Name of Experiment: Flaming Marshmallow                       

Question to be answered: What marshmallow will burn faster?

                      

Prior Knowledge: isopro tends to make substances burn faster.

Hypothesis:Prediction (If …we do X…then…Y will happen…)

If you put a marshmallow in gas and set it on fire then the marshmallow will burn faster than germ x because isopro burns faster.    

Hypothesis:Rationale (…because…)

Because isopro burns faster.

Independent (Manipulated) variable/cause (what will you determine?):

Germ-x, isopro

Dependent (Responding) variable / effect (what will you find out?):

How fast it burns

Constants (what will you keep the same?):

Amount of dipping substance, and beaker size.

Equipment:

3 Beakers, 1 marshmallow stick, 3 Mallows, Germ-X, isopro.

Procedure:

• Figure out the materials that we need based off the materials list
• Bring in marshmallows, beaker (of the same size), marshmallow sticks, gas and isopro.
• Measure out 100 ml of the different substances into the beakers.
• Put one marshmallow on the stick.
• Soak individual marshmallow in one of the substances for one minute.
• After the minute is up take the marshmallow out of the substance and light it on fire.
• Time how long it burns for.
• Repeat for the next marshmallow but soak in separate substance.

ANALYSIS: (Summarize what happened; staple graphs, etc. to this sheet)

The hand sanitizer burned clear, isopro burned with a normal flame. Isopro burned faster than the hand sanitizer. The isopro soaked marshmallow burned in 41 seconds and the one in the hand sanitizer soaked marshmallow burned in 45 seconds.

CONCLUSION: (What is the scientific explanation for these results?  Use relevant vocabulary terms.)

Isopro burns faster than the Germ-X, and has a prominent flame whereas the germ-x has a clear flame. In conclusion we were able to prove our hypothesis correct in saying that the isopro soaked marshmallow will burn faster do to the higher flammability.